Budding filmmakers from Point Loma High School have received recognition from animal rights activists for a short video they made targeting a famous neighbor, SeaWorld.

“Dear SeaWorld” is the students’ 53-second response to “Blackfish,” a film released this year that examines the death of a SeaWorld Orlando trainer and the treatment of orcas.

The video shows students taking turns speaking to the camera, first sharing their happy childhood visits to SeaWorld and then asking pointed questions. It goes from “Dear SeaWorld, thank you for all the amazing memories” to “Is it true the orcas in your exhibits were kidnapped from their families?”

SeaWorld officials declined to comment on the video. David Koontz, communications director for the theme park, issued a statement that he said serves as SeaWorld’s standard response to inquiries related to “Blackfish.”

“‘Blackfish’ is billed as a documentary, but instead of a fair and balanced treatment of a complex subject, the film is inaccurate and misleading and, regrettably, exploits a tragedy that remains a source of deep pain for (trainer) Dawn Brancheau’s family, friends and colleagues,” the statement said.

The student filmmakers said they want to call attention to the plight of captive whales and perhaps get them banned from being used for entertainment purposes.

“I never really thought about it before this,” said Hayley Roth, 14, a freshman who worked on the video. “It’s really sad to think of a baby whale being taken from its family in the ocean.”

Since Brancheau was killed in 2010 by a whale in the Shamu Show, SeaWorld’s trainers mostly don’t perform in the water with the killer whales. The company is appealing the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s restrictions on interaction between humans and the whales.

Although the Point Loma students no longer expect to hear directly from SeaWorld, they have been getting responses from animal rights activists.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ youth division, PETA2, honored the students with a Compassionate Classroom Award for the video.

“We were incredibly impressed,” said Annie Leal, a youth coordinator with PETA. “Not only are the students speaking up for animals, but they are serving as an inspiration to other kids.”

New Zealand scientist and orca expert Ingrid Visser also congratulated the students for their project.

“I was struck with how poignant and professional they were. They made their case so eloquently,” said Visser, who is often referred to as the “Jane Goodall of orcas.” “The issues can really shock you or tug at your heartstrings, and they remain unemotive, like scientists.”

The students decided to make the video for a class assignment after they watched “Blackfish.”

The project was written, filmed and edited 3 miles from SeaWorld at Point Loma High’s new cinematic arts and video production center. Teacher Anthony Palmiotto said his students are making the most of the $3.6 million complex, which includes studios, a screening room, video editing rooms, an audio suite and a shed for building sets.

Students enrolled in the classes are offered career and technical education courses in the media and entertainment industries. The program is part of a broader effort in the San Diego Unified School District to expose students to new subjects while giving students marketable skills that could help them land jobs after graduation.

Although Principal Hans Becker said he was “a little concerned” about the video’s SeaWorld subject, the students ultimately made him proud.

“This is about allowing kids to express how they are feeling in an appropriate manner,” he said. “When you educate them, motivate them and give them the tools they need, this is what can happen.”